| |
Our
Vision and Mission
Internal
To have choir members participating in choral singing at an advanced level.
To use the formative value of music, participation, and the discipline with
choral singing to promote the education of choir members.
To enhance the common talent of all members for their enjoyment.
External
To promote the fine arts by establishing a three, four or five part evenly
balanced choir, producing choral singing of the highest quality.
To present the community of Southern Gauteng and Ekurhuleni West at a
National level through the attitude of each choir member.
To achieve National and International fame through appearance and
participation in competitions.
The Choir
Based in Ekurhuleni West-region, and comprising of members from Alberton,
the Southern suburbs of Johannesburg, Heidelberg and Vanderbijlpark, the
Cantare Children's Choir has over the past 6 years established a name for
excellence in the performance of choir music.
The choir, comprising of between 65 and 70 members, is multi-cultural with a
Christian character. The choristers are selected from grades 4 - 7, and boys
must have treble ("unbroken") voices. Learners leave the choir at the age of
15 or 16. The choir year is from October to September, with auditions for
new members taking place during the 3rd quarter. Members practice in
Alberton once a week, and also undertake regular choir camps.
Founded in 1995 by Ida Strydom in conjunction with the former Transvaal
Education Department, the choir's vision has always been limited by a lack
of resources and funding. As no funds were available from the TED, the choir
was privatised and funded itself through concerts, fundraising and
membership fees. Despite setbacks, the choir achieved acclaim and enriched
the lives of a few hundred children who all set out to do what the Italian
word cantare means: to sing!
Choir parents, in conjunction with musical director and conductor Ida
Strydom, carry the responsibility for administration, fundraising,
marketing, finances, performances and tours.
The Cantare's Children Choir is recognised nationally and internationally
for their contribution to the appreciation and performance for music, their
outstanding sound quality, as well as their high level of discipline. The
young members develop outstanding social skills through discipline the choir
environment requires, and are known to achieve academically because of this.
The choir is a member of the South African Choral Society and the
Interkultur Foundation, Musica Mundi, Germany.
Performances and
Concert Tours
1996: An extended tour of the Western and Northern Cape with a performance
at the KKNK where the choir received a standing ovation. A demonstration
choir at the Tygerberg Teacher's Centre with Mr Hennie Loock, choir leader
of the Tygerberg Children's Choir.
Also tours to Mpumalanga, Kimberley and the Drakensberg.
Performances with acclaimed artists and choirs: Drakensberg Boys' Choir,
Kopenhagen Boy's Choir, Ratcliffe Choral Society, Harvard Ladies Choir,
Cantate Chamber Choir, Colla Voce Youth Choir, various children's choirs
(Pretoria, Jacaranda, East Rand, West Rand and Kimberley), Andre Schwartz,
Cutt Glas, Rina Hugo, Manuel Escorsio, Juanita du Plessis and Jodan.
1997: Selected, by audition, to sing in a choir competition in Riva, Italy.
Due to a lack of funds, the choir had to cancel its plans for this tour.
1998: Received a Golden Award and a second place at the International
Children and Youth Choir Competition held in Pretoria. Also received a gold
medal from the Alberton Civic Awards for this achievement.
1999: Sang the Intermediate Examination for Children's Choirs at UNISA and
passed with honours. Awarded with a silver medal from the Alberton Civic
Awards for the achivement.
2000: Selected by the panel of directors of the Choir Olympics 2000 in Linz
to sing in round two of the Olympic Competition. As a result of a tour
organiser not fulfilling his contract by paying the air tickets, the choir
once again had their dreams shattered.
2002: The choir performed at the National Phillip McLachlan Workshop in
Bloemfontein, organised by the South African Choral Society.
2003: Participated in the Music of the Mountains Festival, hosted by the
Drakensberg Boys' Choir in May.
2004: Participated in
the 3rd Choir Olympics, Bremen, Germany. The choir received a Golden Diploma
and Bronze Medal in the competition: Folklore A Cappella
2005:
2006: Participated in
the 4th World Choir Games in Xiamen, China. The choir received a Golden
Diploma and a Silver Medal in the competition: Children's Choirs.
Participated in A Miracle Called Christmas at the Standard Bank Arena in
December. They also staged a Christmas show for charity at the Boma Barnyard
in Alberton. The choir was also awarded: Outstanding Children's Choir of
2006 by the South African Choral Society at their annual choral awards. The
Board of Directors was also awarded in the category: Outstanding
Contribution in Choral Music. The NLDTF was also awarded in the category:
Outstanding Sponsorship for Arts and Culture specifically sponsoring the
Cantare Children's Choir to the 4th World Choir Games.
How do I join?
For further information contact Ida Strydom.
Cell : 073-232-0941
Home : 011-908-5616
Email: cantare@telkomsa.net
Right click here to
download the application form
Auditions
Auditions for new members of the Cantare Concert and Touring Choir take
place from July to January of the next year.
For further information contact Ida Strydom.
Cell : 073-232-0941
Home : 011-908-5616
Email: cantare@telkomsa.net
Choir Rules
Right click here to download the rules
Music Programmes
Cantare Junior Choir: Jubilate
Children from 7 - 12 years.
Cost R300 per term.
Thokoza Development
Choir
Katlehong Development Choir
Tembisa Development Choir
Children from these areas from 8 to 16 years are selected from different
schools. They also have the opportunity to be selected for the touring and
concert choir. These choirs are sponsored by the NLDTF.
Cantare Concert and Touring Choir:
Children who mastered the above skills, will be considered for this choir.
Auditions for this choir is between May and August each year.
Cantare Girl's Choir:
Harmony
These girls are selected from high schools in the Ekurhuleni Metropole as
well as the Far East and West Rand and the Greater Johannesburg Metropole.
Enquiries can be made with Carlien Burger on 082-257-1407 / 073-232-0941 or
at the Cantare Office on 011-908-5616 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 08:00 - 14:00
|
|
